(zhèng) — to earn (money); to struggle to get free, to break free (by force)

Definition

挣 (zhèng) covers two senses: earning money (close to 赚) and breaking free by force. Compared to 赚, 挣 emphasizes the effort put in to make money, not profit.

verb
to earn (money)to struggle to get freeto break free (by force)

Examples

  • Tā měi gè yuè néng zhèng bù shǎo qián.
    He can earn quite a bit of money every month.
  • Xiǎo niǎo yòng lì yí zhèng, cóng lóng zi lǐ fēi zǒu le.
    The little bird struggled once and flew out of the cage.
  • Tā kào jiān zhí zhèng gòu le xué fèi.
    She earned enough tuition by working part-time.

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